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Toru Fujioka
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 22, 2015
BOJ refrains from boosting stimulus after growth picks up
The Bank of Japan refrained from increasing monetary stimulus, as Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda bets on stronger growth fueling inflation that is one-tenth the BOJ's target.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
May 1, 2015
Kuroda shifts to defense in BOJ's struggle to reach inflation target
For the first time, Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda said his original two-year time frame for reaching 2 percent inflation will not be reached. But it did not prompt him to step on the stimulus accelerator.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 15, 2015
Soccer still a refuge for BOJ staff
The Bank of Japan officials huddle: they're planning a counterattack.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 20, 2015
Kuroda ally says weak yen shouldn't stop more stimulus if needed
Concern about weakening the yen should not prevent the Bank of Japan from easing monetary policy further if necessary, said Masahiro Kawai, a university professor who has collaborated on research with Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 5, 2015
Abe boosts Kuroda reflation effort with BOJ board nomination
The Abe administration has nominated a proponent of reflationary monetary policy for the central bank's board, buttressing Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda's effort to end a two-decade slump in the world's third-biggest economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 30, 2015
December output gain hints at end to latest recession
Industrial production snapped two quarters of decline in December, signaling the economy may have limped out of recession.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 18, 2014
Companies still hoarding cash despite pleas from Abe, Kuroda to spend
Two days after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe secured a pledge from Japan Inc. to do its best to boost wages to revive the world's third-biggest economy, data showed companies hoarding record amounts of cash.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 15, 2014
BOJ rejects fresh stimulus to offset cheap oil's affect on inflation, sources say
The Bank of Japan rejects the idea that additional monetary stimulus is needed to prevent a recent decline in oil prices from pulling down inflation, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
BUSINESS
Nov 26, 2014
Abe will have chance to name more women to BOJ board
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has a chance to appoint a second female to the Bank of Japan's Policy Board next year, which would mark a first in the institution's 132-year history, said one of his advisers, Etsuro Honda.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets / ANALYSIS
Nov 6, 2014
After BOJ shocks market, some ask why it gave no warning
Hours after the Bank of Japan caught central bank watchers off guard by boosting stimulus, officials were fending off complaints about its communications.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 3, 2014
BOJ struggling to meet inflation deadline, former vice governor says
The Bank of Japan may need more time to achieve its 2 percent inflation target and the country can't ignore harm caused by an abrupt weakening of the yen, said Toshiro Muto, a two-time contender to lead the central bank.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 22, 2014
Weak yen puts Japan at risk of recession, says ex-BOJ deputy
Japan is in danger of falling into a recession as the yen's decline reduces the purchasing power of households and squeezes corporate profits, according to a former deputy governor of the Bank of Japan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 13, 2014
BOJ holds course as analysts delay action calls
The Bank of Japan on Friday raised its view of overseas economies while maintaining unprecedented stimulus launched as part of BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda's bid to stoke 2 percent inflation in two years.
BUSINESS
Jun 12, 2014
Big BOJ balance sheet may be inflation target's legacy
Bank of Japan officials are considering maintaining a large balance sheet for the central bank even after it achieves its inflation target, reducing the risk of a surge in long-term bond yields, sources said.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 1, 2014
Assured BOJ foils analysts' predictions
The confidence that Bank of Japan officials are demonstrating in achieving their inflation target is lowering the chances of additional monetary easing this year even as the economy weakens.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 25, 2014
BOJ said worried by bond traders' ignoring of inflation
Bank of Japan officials are increasingly concerned the nation's bond market is failing to reflect emerging inflation, raising the risk of a sudden surge in yields, sources said.
BUSINESS
Apr 23, 2014
BOJ will not buy bonds indefinitely
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda has said the BOJ will not buy bonds just to keep down the government's debt-servicing costs after it achieves its goal of stable 2 percent inflation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Apr 14, 2014
Higher prices risk 'Abenomics' backlash
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's bid to vault Japan out of 15 years of deflation risks losing public support by spurring too much inflation too quickly as companies add extra price increases to this month's sales tax bump.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2013
Japan Inc. builds mountain of cash
Japanese companies' cash holdings rose to a record last quarter, highlighting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's struggle to spur the investment and wage increases needed to end a 15-year deflationary malaise.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 30, 2013
Abe betting this tax hike will be different
It's different this time. The four most dangerous words in markets, according to former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.

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